Surface cleaning device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is concerned with an improved surface cleaning device. The device has a utility portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned and a handle portion connected to the utility portion. The utility portion defines a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned, and is adapted to accommodate a sheet of cleaning substrate for covering the lower surface and contacting a surface to be cleaned in use. The utility portion includes a plurality of projection members protruding from the lower surface for providing one or more raised regions on the cleaning sheet substrate which otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in use the one or more raised regions are accessible to recessed area of a surface to be cleaned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with an improved surface cleaningdevice, system or apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of cleaning devices designed to suit differentcleaning purpose. Different cleaning devices are specialized forcleaning different surfaces, such a floor surface or window surface.

For floor cleaning devices, for example, there are different designstailored for particular needs. For instance, electrically operatedvacuum cleaners have been around for some time. While electricallyoperated vacuum cleaners can be useful in many circumstances, they aretypically relatively complicated and costly in manufacture, and arefairly heavy in weight which may not be suitable to certain users.

Different types of floor mops have been around for longer time. They areadvantageous in that they are typically lighter in weight and moremaneuverable. However, they may not be very effective in achievingcleaning in certain situation.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved surface cleaningdevice or floor cleaning device, or at least to provide a usefulalternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda cleaning device comprising a utility portion for engaging a surface tobe cleaned and a handle portion connected to the utility portion, theutility portion defining a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned,and adapted to accommodate a sheet of cleaning substrate or material forcovering the lower surface and contacting a surface to be cleaned inuse, wherein the utility portion includes a plurality of projectionmembers protruding from the lower surface for providing one or moreraised regions on the sheet cleaning substrate which otherwise is fittedagainst the lower surface, such that in use the one or more raisedregions are accessible to recessed area of a surface to be cleaned.

Preferably, the projection members may be in the form of fingers,bristle tufts or bumps.

Suitably, the projection members may be made of plastics or relativelystiff plastics or polymeric materials.

Advantageously, the projection members may be made of a materialselected from a group including polypropylene (PP), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) and polyamide (PA).

In an embodiment, the projections members may be arranged linearly. In aspecific embodiment, the projection members may be arranged linearly insubstantially straight configuration across the lower surface of theutility portion.

In one embodiment, the plurality of projections may be arranged in atleast one row. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of projectionsmay be arranged in three rows only. Alternatively, the plurality ofprojections may be arranged in one row only.

The row or rows of projection members may extend laterally across theutility portion, and may be perpendicular to forward and rearwardmovement of the utility portion in use. Alternatively, the row or rowsof projections may extend from a front end to a rear end across theutility portion, and may be parallel to forward and rearward movement ofthe utility portion in use.

In an embodiment, the projection members protrude from the lower surfaceperpendicularly. The projection members may protrude from the lowersurface at an angle. In a specific embodiment, some of the projectionmembers may protrude from the lower surface perpendicularly, while someothers may protrude from the lower surface at an angle.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise a strip member from which theprojection members protrude, wherein the strip member is connected tothe utility portion. The strip member may be connected to the utilityportion by snap-fitting, gluing, welding or screwing thereto.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda cleaning system comprising a cleaning device as claimed any precedingclaim and a sheet of cleaning substrate fittable or fitted to thecleaning apparatus, the utility portion and the sheet cleaning substratetogether is adapted to conform to a three-dimensional surface, reachrecess or grout area of a surface, or reach area between a wall and afloor, to be cleaned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda cleaning apparatus comprising a utility portion for engaging a surfaceto be cleaned, a handle portion pivotably connected to the utilityportion, and a sheet of cleaning substrate, wherein the utility portiondefines a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned in use, andincludes means adapted to accommodate the sheet of cleaning substratefor covering the lower surface and contacting a surface to be cleaned inuse and a plurality of projection members at the lower surface forproviding one or more raised regions on the cleaning sheet substratewhich otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in usethe one or more of the raised regions acting as pressure points areaccessible to recessed area of a surface or a three-dimensional surfaceto be cleaned.

Preferably, the plurality of projection members may be arranged linearlyat the lower surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be explained, withreference to the accompanied drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above showing an embodiment of autility portion of a surface cleaning device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below showing the utility portion ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the utility portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of the utility portion shown in FIG. 1but fitted with a sheet of cleaning substrate;

FIG. 4 b is another perspective view of the utility portion shown inFIG. 1 but shows the profile of the sheet cleaning substrate in moredetail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the utility portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a surface, e.g. a floor surface, to becleaned;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how a conventional surfacecleaning device reacts with the surface of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 to 9 is a schematic diagram showing how a cleaning device withfor example the utility portion of FIG. 1 reacts with the floor surfaceof FIG. 6;

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are perspective views showing a different utilityportion of a surface cleaning device according to another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are perspective views showing the utility portionof FIGS. 10 a and 10 b but fitted with a sheet of cleaning substrate;

FIG. 11C is an exploded view of the utility portion of FIG. 11A and FIG.11B; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing how, in use, the utility portionas shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C reacts with a surface to becleaned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a tool for use in cleaning asurface. Such tool may be referred as a floor cleaner although the toolcan likewise be used in cleaning other surfaces such as a windowsurface. The terms cleaning device and cleaning apparatus used hereincarry the same meaning.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a floor cleaning device, generallydesignated 2. The device has a handle member 4 generally in the form ofan elongate stick and a base member 6 acting as a utility portion forengagement with a surface to the cleaned. The handle member 4 ispivotably connected to the base member 6 such that in use a user canmaneuver the movement of the base member 6 via the handle member 4.

FIGS. 2 to 3 show the configuration of a bottom surface 8 of the basemember 6. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 8 is generally flat butprovided with strips 10 of projection members 12 arranged linearly andextended laterally across the base member 6. It is envisaged that as thebase member 6 is moved forward and rearward, the projection members 12and the direction of the forward and rearward movement are perpendicularto each other. In this embodiment, the base member 6 is provided withthree strips 10 a, 10 b, 10 c of projection members 12 arranged insubstantially straight lines. The base member 6 and the projectionmembers 12 together form the utility portion 6 which can also beconsidered as a mop head. In other embodiments, the projection membersare positioned in center or front regions of the utility portion and/orare away from below connection of the handle and the utility portion.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the base member 6 in a disassembledconfiguration. The base member 6 has bottom plate 14 and a body 18 towhich the bottom plate 14 is secured to. The bottom plate 14 is providedwith three recesses 18 in form of three elongate slots extendingthereacross. The slots are sized and shaped to receive the three strips10 a, 10 b, 10 c of projection members 12. In this particularembodiment, the base member 6 or the bottom plate 14 has thesubstantially flat bottom surface protruded with the projection members12, and the strips 10 a, 10 b, 10 b with projection members 12 aresecured to the base member 6 by snap-fitting to the bottom plate 14.However, in other embodiments the strips 10 a, 10 b and 10 c ofprojection members may be secured by gluing, welding or screwingthereto.

Further, projection members may be in the form of bristle tufts, fingersor bumps. When the projection members take the form of bristle tufts,the bristle tufts may be introduced to elongate strips of supportmaterial for assembling to the base member. If the projection memberstake the form of finger or bumps, they for example may be formintegrally with the strips of support material. The projection membersmay be made of plastics material or polymeric material. Suitablematerials include polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)and polyamide (PA). Materials that are relatively stiff are preferred.

In the embodiments as explained above, the projection members are firstintroduced to the strip support members. However, this is notnecessarily so. In a different embodiment, the projection members may beintroduced to the bottom plate or bottom surface of the utility portiondirectly without using an intermediate member.

FIG. 4 a shows the cleaning device 2 fitted with a sheet of cleaningfabric 20. The sheet cleaning fabric is connected to the utility portion4 by wrapping around the bottom surface thereof. The utility portion 4is provided with clipping means 22 to secure to opposite ends of thesheet cleaning fabric 20 such that the fabric 20 can be tightly mounted.The sheet cleaning fabric 20 provides an external surface for contactinga surface to be cleaned in use.

FIG. 4 b is similar to FIG. 4 b but it further highlights that after thesheet cleaning fabric 20 is secured to the utility portion 4, regions 22of the sheet cleaning fabric adjacent or with the strips of projectionmembers thereunder protrudes from an otherwise flat surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates the bottom surface of the base member 4 and thecleaning surface of the sheet cleaning fabric 20.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a typical surface to be cleaned. The surfaceis made of a number of tiles arranged adjacent each other with agenerally flat surface 24 but grouts 26 are present between adjacenttiles. It can be seen the while the surface to be cleaned is generallyflat, the regions of the grouts are recessed. The recess regions aretypically difficult to clean and dirt tends to soil the grouts or atleast dirt at the grouts is more noticeable.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional cleaning device. From the region illustratedby the circled area in FIG. 7, it can be seen that bottom surface of thecleaning device is generally flat. In any event, the two-dimensionalsurface of the bottom surface of the cleaning device cannot reach therecessed grout regions 26 for cleaning purpose.

FIGS. 8 to 9 show an embodiment of cleaning device of the presentinvention. It is shown that the surface of the cleaning fabric providedby the cleaning device is not flat. More importantly, three distinctprotruded cleaning regions are provided by the utility portion due tothe presence of the projection members acting as protruding pressurepoints. As the base member is moved forward and backwardreciprocatingly, the regions of the sheet cleaning substrate pushed orraised regions can reach recessed area of a soiled surface, such asgrout areas of a tile surface in FIGS. 6-9. In the embodiment, cleaninga tile surface by such cleaning device is shown. However, the sampleprinciple applies when cleaning a glass window surface with multipleglass panel connected by recessed caulking regions. In other words, theentire surface of the tiles and the grout areas can be reached cleanedwhen the protruding pressure points act on the surface and area reachthereto. It is to be noted that the surface and the area are notentirely flat but has a three dimensional surface.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B show a different embodiment of a cleaning device30 according to the present invention. The device 30 is similar to thedevice 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, instead of having three strips ofprojection members extending laterally across the base member, only onestrip 32 of projection members are provided. FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG.11C show the configuration of the cleaning device when fitted with asheet cleaning sheet and how the base member is made by fitting thestrip of projection members thereto. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showingthe reaction of the device 30 and a cleaning with a recess region to becleaned.

It is to be understood that when provided with a plurality of rows ofprojection members, the rows are not to be configured closely togetheror else the cleaning fabric or substrate would not be able to conform toa three-dimensional cleaning surface. In this regard, studies have shownthat the provision of 1 to 5 rows of the projections is technicallyadvantageous.

It is also to be noted that while in the above embodiments, theprojection members extend from the utility member surfaceperpendicularly, in alternative embodiments the projection members mayextend from the utility member at an angle, e.g. 45°. In a specificembodiment in which three row or projection members are provided, theprojection members in the middle row may protrude perpendicularly, whilethe two rows on opposite sides of the utility portion may protrude at anangle away from the utility portion such that when the cleaning deviceapproaches a wall, the region of the sheet cleaning substrate coveringthe angled projection members can reach the area or gap between the walland the adjacent floor.

It should be understood that certain features of the invention, whichare, for clarity, described in the content of separate embodiments, maybe provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontent of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in anyappropriate sub-combinations. It is to be noted that certain features ofthe embodiments are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. Also, askilled person in the art will be aware of the prior art which is notexplained in the above for brevity purpose. For example, in the abovediscussed embodiments, the meaning of sheet of clean encompasses ofmaterial made of a sponge material or a cloth. Different thickness ofthe sheet may be selected to suit a particular application.

1. A cleaning device comprising a utility portion for engaging a surfaceto be cleaned and a handle portion connected to the utility portion, theutility portion defining a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned,and adapted to accommodate and secure a sheet of cleaning substrate withan inwardly facing surface for covering the lower surface of the utilityportion of the cleaning device and an outwardly and non-planar facingsurface for contacting a soiled surface to be cleaned in use, whereinthe utility portion includes a plurality of projection membersprotruding from the lower surface for providing one or more regions onthe cleaning sheet material raised by the projection members, thecleaning sheet substrate otherwise is fitted against the lower surface,such that in use the cleaning substrate with the one or more raisedregions is conformable and accessible to recessed area of the soiledsurface to be cleaned.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theprojection members are in the form of fingers, bristle tufts, bumps or asqueegee.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projectionmembers are made of stiff plastics or polymeric materials.
 4. A deviceas claimed in Clam 2, wherein the projection members are made of amaterial selected from a group including polypropylene (PP),polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyamide (PA).
 5. A device asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the projections members are arrangedlinearly.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projectionmembers are arranged linearly in substantially straight configurationacross the lower surface of the utility portion.
 7. A device as claimedin claim 5, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in at leastone row.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality ofprojections is arranged in three rows only.
 9. A device as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in one rowonly.
 10. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the row or rows ofprojection members extend laterally across the utility portion, and isperpendicular to forward and rearward movement of the utility portion inuse.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the row or rows ofprojections extend from a front end to a rear end across the utilityportion, and is parallel to forward and rearward movement of the utilityportion in use.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein theprojection members protrude from the lower surface perpendicularly. 13.A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection members protrudefrom the lower surface at an angle.
 14. A device as claimed in claim 1,comprising a strip member from which the projection members protrude,wherein the strip member is connected to the utility portion.
 15. Adevice as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strip member is connected tothe utility portion by snap-fitting, glue, welding or screwing thereto.16. A cleaning system comprising a cleaning device as claimed claim 1and a sheet of cleaning substrate fittable or fitted to the cleaningapparatus, the utility portion and the sheet cleaning substrate togetheris adapted to conform to a three-dimensional surface, reach recess orgrout area of a surface, or reach area between a wall and a floor, to becleaned.
 17. A cleaning apparatus comprising a utility portion forengaging a soiled surface to be cleaned in use, a handle portionpivotably connected to the utility portion, and a sheet of cleaningsubstrate; wherein the utility portion defines a lower surface, andincludes means adapted to accommodate the sheet of cleaning substratewith one surface for covering the lower surface of the utility portionand an external surface for contacting the soiled surface to be cleanedand a plurality of projection members at the lower surface for providingone or more regions on the cleaning sheet material raised by theprojection members, the cleaning sheet material otherwise is fittedagainst the lower surface, such that in use the one or more of theraised regions acting as pressure points are accessible to recessed areaof a surface or a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned.
 18. Acleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the plurality ofprojections is arranged linearly at the lower surface.